It started off meeting my instrument instructor at the airport to fly his plane to my mechanic's shop to get my plane from annual. I thought I would just sit right seat and get to watch the ground go by. Nope, I got stuck in the left seat and under the hood the whole time. Great fun.
On final there was a flock of seagulls hanging out on the runway that decided to dance with us while flairing. Got my first ever bird strike. Luckily (for my instructor) it was the gear that got the little guy. Poor thing split open like a canoli. The tower had to send someone out to pick .. err ... clean it up.
I got in my plane, taking note of the nice new spiffy AI, took off, and met my instructor back at our airport. Then it was up for another hour of holds, partial panel holds, and partial panel unusual attitudes. I think somewhere in there my brain melted and ran out of my ears. Not helping the matter was that it was somewhat bumpy today.
Anyway, what I found really interesting is that my instructor's airplane is also a 172 and is less than 10 numbers away from mine in serial number. Yet, its pretty different to fly. It feels different, sounds different, even sits on the ground a bit different. He also has the original interior and some fairly old avionics. I was sure glad to get mine back. Though, if I have any more annuals like this one I might have to sell the wife to pay for it ...
It's good for ya buddy! Glad you're workin' on that rating still! 
